Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said on Monday, Feb. 28, that all candidates for the May 2022 elections are welcome to hold campaign-related activities in the city.
In a speech during Monday's flag raising ceremony in the city, Sotto said that the city government is implementing a non-discriminatory policy towards the electoral aspirants, their respective teams, and their supporters.
“Ang Pasig po ay bukas para sa kahit sinong kandidato na gustong bumisita, gustong mangampanya sa nasyonal mula sa mga tumatakbong presidente, bise presidente, senador. Lahat po iyan, welcome sa lungsod ng Pasig (Pasig City is open to every candidate who wants to visit, wants to campaign for the national elections, whether they are running for president, vice president, or senator. They are all welcome in our city),” Sotto said.
The city government will readily approve the applications and permits of every national candidate who plans to conduct motorcades or use venues within the city for rallies.
“Hindi natin tinitingnan ang kulay ng politika, kundi ina-approve lang po. Sa katunayan, pag national candidate wine-waive pa po natin ‘yung mga fees, care of the City Administrator’s Office natin (We do not look at political colors. We just approve them. In fact, the City Administrator’s Office waives the fees for national candidates),” Sotto added.
Electoral candidates are free to hold events in the city but the posting of campaign paraphernalia in public spaces is strictly prohibited.
“Pag nagkabit po sila ng paraphernalia nila sa ating mga elevated walkways, sa ating mga poste, pinatatanggal po natin ‘yan. Authorized ang kahit sinong Pasigeño na tanggalin ang mga campaign paraphernalia na hindi naman dapat nandoon sa mga public spaces natin (If they put any paraphernalia in our elevated walkways or our posts, we will take them down. Any Pasigeño is authorized to remove campaign paraphernalia that is not supposed to be posted in our public spaces),” Sotto said.
As the city government provides a platform for all candidates, the mayor said the people are free to decide who to vote for and support.
In a previous interview with ABS-CBN, Sotto had said that he would not meddle in national politics, opting to focus more on local governance in Pasig City.